JAY WILSON

Jay Curtis Wilson, age 90, is fondly remembered by his wife of more than 60 years, Faye Buster Wilson, and his children, Theresa Wilson Shell, Lenna Jaye O’Dell and Leanne (Derrick) Maynard. He was deeply loved by his granddaughter, Macy Maynard. Jay is preceded in death by his son Thomas Jerry Wilson and all of his five siblings.

Born in Camden, AR, he would live in Stephens, AR for more than 50 years until retiring to Texarkana, TX. Mr. Wilson was a collector of antiques, vintage cars, guns, all things aviation and law enforcement and a “self-made, oil man”.

Jay was a founding member of the Stephens Chamber of Commerce and President. He was Chairman of the Stephens, Ouachita County Airport Commission, and President of the Stephens Lions Club. He served on the Ouachita County Medical Center Board of Directors for 12 years. He was a councilman for the Stephens City Council for several terms. Jay served on the Stephens Security Bank Board of Directors from 1987 until 2017. He was a member of the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, donating his salary, time and personal resources to the agency for seven years.

Jay brought several industries to Stephens that kept dozens employed. Also, building the Buckrange Water Flood that is still being used today by area oil producers. He is noted in The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover, AR for bringing the first “horizontally drilled well” to the state.

Jay was most proud of his baptism into Christ at 73. He was a faithful member of Walnut Church of Christ.

Mr. Wilson’s family would like to thank Dr. Susan Wong and Encompass Health Hospice for their excellent care during his last days.